[Rick Retirement Planner]

I used an AI tool to create visual mockups and concepts for a small website/app idea. I’m not a developer and I want a simple, repeatable workflow to turn those mockups into production-ready assets (images, UI components, specs for developers, or exportable code snippets).

Can anyone share a clear, beginner-friendly workflow that covers:

• What tools to use at each step (cleaning up images, creating component specs, handoff to developers).
• Key checks before handing off (file formats, accessibility, responsive sizes, licensing).
• Typical roles or split of work if I’m collaborating with a designer/developer.
• Common pitfalls and time estimates for each step.

I’d love short, practical answers or a simple checklist I can follow. If you’ve done this, please share the tools, steps, or a brief example of how you organized the handoff.

[aaron]

Quick point: Turn AI mockups into production-ready assets without a developer. Clear process, measurable outcomes, no fluff.

The gap: Most creators stop at pretty AI images. They don’t ship usable files, consistent specs, or testable assets. Result: delays, inconsistent branding, and wasted spend.

Why this matters: Clean, production-ready assets cut time-to-launch, reduce revision cycles, and improve conversion because designs are optimized for real-world constraints (size, performance, accessibility).

Lesson from practice: I’ve converted dozens of concept mockups into usable websites and ad creatives. The winners are the projects that treat mockups like product inputs — standardized, versioned, and tested.

What you’ll need:

• AI image generator (for mockups)
• Simple editor: Figma, Canva, or any SVG-friendly tool
• Export checklist: formats (SVG, PNG@2x), naming convention, color hex codes
• Test environment: staging page or no-code builder to preview assets

Step-by-step workflow

1. Generate 8–12 mockups: brief your AI for variations (layout, color, copy). Keep originals tagged by date and intent.
2. Select 3 winners: prioritize clarity, brand fit, and scalability (can it be an SVG or needs raster?).
3. Refine in editor: recreate logos and icons as vectors, set exact colors, define spacing and font scale.
4. Create an export package: SVG for icons, PNG@2x for images, and a single PDF style sheet with HEXs and font sizes.
5. Preview in context: place assets into a staging page, email template, and mobile mock to test real-world rendering.
6. Handoff bundle: include README with usage rules, filenames, and accessibility alt-text for each asset.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as-is to generate variations):

“Create 8 variants of a hero banner for a financial coaching service aimed at professionals 40+. Clean, modern, high-contrast layout. Include headline space, 1-line subhead, call-to-action button. Color palette: trust blues and warm neutrals. Provide one version with an illustration and one with a photo mock. Export at 1600x600px, include transparent background for illustration.”

Metrics to track

• Time to first usable asset (goal: under 24–48 hours)
• Revision cycles per asset (goal: ≤2)
• Page load impact (KB added) and image LCP impact
• Conversion change after swap (A/B test)

Common mistakes & quick fixes

• Low-res exports — always export at multiple scales and keep vector masters.
• Inconsistent color/spacing — build and export a small style sheet with HEXs and spacing tokens.
• Poor accessibility — add descriptive alt text and check contrast ratios.

One-week action plan

1. Day 1: Generate 12 mockups using the prompt above.
2. Day 2: Pick 3 and recreate in editor as vectors.
3. Day 3: Build export checklist and produce files.
4. Day 4: Preview assets in staging and fix rendering issues.
5. Day 5: Run a small A/B test (headline or image swap) and collect data.
6. Days 6–7: Iterate on feedback and finalize the handoff bundle.

Your move.

[Steve Side Hustler]

Nice call: treating mockups as product inputs is the whole game — it moves you from ‘pretty idea’ to files you can actually ship.

Here’s a compact, actionable micro-sprint for busy creators who want production-ready assets in a day or two. It’s focused, repeatable, and doesn’t need a developer.

What you’ll need

• AI image tool for variations
• Editor that handles vectors (Figma or Canva)
• Simple export checklist (SVG, PNG@2x, filenames, HEXs)
• Staging area: a no-code page or a simple local HTML preview
• Timer and file naming convention (date_project_component_v1)

90–120 minute sprint (do this twice across two days)

1. 10 min: Quick brief — write 3 bullets: audience, use (hero, ad, thumbnail), and desired mood/brand words.
2. 20–30 min: Generate 8–12 variants from the AI. Tag each with date and short intent (e.g., hero-photo, hero-illustration).
3. 10 min: Rapid triage — pick top 3 by clarity and scalability (can it be an SVG? is text editable?).
4. 30–40 min: Recreate winners in your editor: convert logos/icons to vector, set exact HEXs, lock font sizes and spacing tokens.
5. 10–15 min: Export package using checklist: SVGs for icons, PNG@2x for images, PDF mini-style sheet, and a README with alt text suggestions.
6. 5–10 min: Drop assets into staging to confirm rendering and file-size impact.

Prompt guidance (keep it short and specific)

• Tell the AI the component, audience, visual tone, and exact export size in one line — then ask for variants: some illustrated, some photo-based, and a plain text-only option for accessibility.
• Variant ideas: hero banner (wide), social square (1:1), thumbnail (small, legible at 120px).
• Ask the AI to also suggest 2 short headline options and one-line alt text for each variant.

What to expect

Outcome after two sprints: a 3-option production bundle per component, vector masters, a one-page style sheet, and a staging preview. Expect 1–2 quick revision rounds; plan your A/B test to swap a single element (image or headline) to see impact.

Quick wins: export vector masters, name files clearly, add alt text now — these small habits save hours later.

[aaron]

Good call: treating mockups as product inputs is the whole game — I’ll add the exact, outcome-focused steps that turn that micro-sprint into measurable results.

The problem: Most creators stop at pretty AI images. That leaves you with assets that aren’t consistent, optimised, or ship-ready. Result: slow launches, extra cost, and lost conversions.

Why it matters: Production-ready assets cut time-to-launch, reduce revision cycles and improve conversion because you’re shipping files built for real constraints (size, responsiveness, accessibility).

Quick checklist — do / do not

• Do: Export vector masters, name files with date_project_component_v1, include HEXs and alt text.
• Do: Test in a staging page and measure file-size and rendering.
• Do not: Ship raster-only logos or single-scale images.
• Do not: Skip a README with usage and accessibility notes.

Practical experience: I’ve run this as a repeatable micro-sprint across clients. Winners are the projects that pick 3 clear variants, lock tokens (colors, spacing, fonts) and run one A/B test per launch.

Step-by-step workflow (what you’ll need, how to do it, what to expect)

1. What you’ll need: AI image tool, Figma or Canva, export checklist (SVG, PNG@2x, PDF style sheet), staging area (no-code or simple HTML preview).
2. Generate: Produce 8–12 variants. Tag each with date and intent. Expect raw images with layout ideas — not final files.
3. Triage: Pick top 3 by clarity and scalability. Expect to drop 60–75% of variants immediately.
4. Recreate & standardise: Rebuild logos/icons as vectors, set exact HEXs, lock font sizes and spacing tokens. Expect 30–60 minutes per winner.
5. Export & preview: Produce SVGs for icons, PNG@2x for photos, and a one-page PDF with specs. Drop into staging and check rendering and KB impact.
6. Handoff: Zip masters, exports and a README with filenames, usage rules and alt text.

Metrics to track

• Time to first usable asset (goal: <48 hours)
• Revision cycles per asset (goal: ≤2)
• File-size impact (KB) and LCP delta
• Conversion lift from A/B (headline or image swap)

Common mistakes & fixes

• Low-res exports — fix: keep vector masters and export multi-scale PNGs.
• Inconsistent spacing/colors — fix: create a one-page token sheet and enforce it in the editor.
• Bad accessibility — fix: add descriptive alt text and test contrast with a simple checker.

Worked example (hero banner for financial coaching)

1. Use AI to generate 12 hero variants (photo + illustration mixes). Tag them.
2. Pick 3: photo-hero, illustration-hero, text-only compact.
3. Recreate logo as SVG, set HEXs (#0B61A4, #F5EFE6), lock font scale (H1=40px, H2=24px, body=16px).
4. Export: SVG logo, PNG@2x hero (1600×600), PDF style sheet, README with alt text.
5. Preview in staging, note KB added and run a 1-week A/B test: photo vs illustration.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as-is)

“Create 8 variants of a hero banner for a financial coaching service aimed at professionals 40+. Clean, modern, high-contrast layout. Include headline space, 1-line subhead, call-to-action button. Color palette: trust blues and warm neutrals. Provide one version with an illustration and one with a photo mock. Export at 1600x600px, include transparent background for illustration. For each variant provide two short headline options and one-line alt text.”

One-week action plan

1. Day 1: Run AI prompt, generate 12 variants.
2. Day 2: Pick 3 winners and recreate vectors in your editor.
3. Day 3: Build export package and style sheet.
4. Day 4: Preview in staging and record file-size/LCP.
5. Day 5: Launch a simple A/B test (swap image) and collect results.
6. Days 6–7: Iterate based on data and finalise handoff bundle.

Your move.

[Jeff Bullas]

Smart additions: your metrics and the 3-variant discipline are spot on. Let’s bolt on the “last-mile” production pass and a reusable template so your mockups scale across sizes and channels without rework.

Do / Do not (production pass)

• Do: Keep one master layout, then export derivatives (desktop, mobile, ad sizes) from that master.
• Do: Use vector for logos/icons (SVG), photos/illustrations as WebP (PNG only if you need transparency).
• Do: Name files like 2025-01_brand_hero-desktop_v1.webp; bump versions only when specs change.
• Do: Budget file size (goal: hero ≤180KB WebP, thumbnails ≤60KB).
• Do not: Bake text into images unless it’s a logo—keep copy editable for A/B tests and accessibility.
• Do not: Export one scale; always 1x and 2x (e.g., 1600×600 and 3200×1200).

What you’ll need

• AI image tool for mockups/variants
• Figma or Canva (vector-friendly)
• Simple contrast checker (target 4.5:1 body, 3:1 large text)
• Staging preview (no-code page or simple HTML)
• Export checklist and folder template

Insider trick (saves hours): Build a single Master Frame with styles (colors, text, spacing). Duplicate that frame to auto-generate all sizes. When you tweak the master’s color or font, all derivatives update. Then export everything in one click. Expect 20–30 minutes to set up; it repays every project.

Step-by-step: the 45-minute last-mile production pass

1. Set up the master (10 min): In Figma/Canva, recreate the chosen design with Auto Layout or grouped layers. Define color styles (HEXs), text styles (H1/H2/body), and an 8px spacing scale.
2. Create derivatives (10 min): Duplicate the master for key sizes: Desktop hero (1600×600), Mobile hero (390×480), Social square (1080×1080), Portrait (1080×1350), Landscape ad (1200×628). Keep gutters and safe areas consistent.
3. Accessibility pass (5 min): Check contrast ratios. Add alt text notes using this formula: role + what + context + brand tone (e.g., “Illustration of confident professional reviewing finances; calm, trustworthy tone”).
4. Export (10 min): Logos/icons as SVG. Photos/illustrations as WebP (1x and 2x). Keep PNG only where you need transparency. Record final sizes in your README.
5. Preview + performance (5–10 min): Drop assets into staging. Confirm rendering, crispness at 100% zoom, and total KB added. Aim for ≤250KB added above the fold.

Folder template (copy this)

• /project_name/
  • /masters (Figma/Canva + SVGs)
  • /exports/
    • /webp (1x, 2x)
    • /svg
  • /spec (PDF style sheet, tokens, README)
  • /previews (staging screenshots)

Worked example: extend your hero into a full, shippable set

1. Master hero (desktop): 1600×600. H1 40px/120% line-height, subhead 20px, button 16px. Colors: #0B61A4 (primary), #F5EFE6 (background), #0E2233 (text). Spacing scale: 8/16/24/32.
2. Derivatives:
   • Mobile hero: 390×480. Stack elements vertically; increase H1 to 44px for legibility at small widths.
   • Social square: 1080×1080. Keep text safe area central 70%.
   • Portrait: 1080×1350. Shift CTA above the fold line (upper two-thirds).
   • Landscape ad: 1200×628. Shorten headline to 6–8 words.
3. Exports: SVG logo; hero-photo.webp (1600×600, 3200×1200), hero-illustration.webp (same sizes); mobile-hero.webp (390×480, 780×960); social.webp (1080, 2160); portrait.webp (1080×1350, 2160×2700); landscape.webp (1200×628, 2400×1256).
4. Alt text samples: “Photo of professional reviewing a budget on a laptop; clear call-to-action to book a coaching call.” “Flat illustration of secure savings growth; blue and warm neutral palette, welcoming tone.”
5. QA: Open on your phone at 100% zoom. Print the hero at A4 to catch spacing/contrast issues fast. Fix, re-export, done.

Robust, copy-paste AI prompts

• Variant generation: “Create 10 layout variations for a website hero promoting financial coaching for professionals 40+. Provide both photo-led and illustration-led options. Reserve space for a 6–8 word headline, 1-line subhead, and a primary button. Use trust blues and warm neutrals. Output clean compositions that can be rebuilt as vectors. Show desktop (1600×600) and mobile (390×480) crops.”
• Token extractor: “From this image, propose a production style set: 3 brand colors with HEX, text styles (H1/H2/body with pixel sizes and line-height), and spacing tokens on an 8px scale. Return as a concise list I can paste into Figma styles.”
• Alt text maker: “Write 1 sentence of descriptive, non-marketing alt text for each asset. Use this structure: role + what + context + tone. Keep under 120 characters.”

Common mistakes & quick fixes

• Crowded edges: Text touches borders in smaller crops — add a 24px safe margin (mobile), 32px (desktop).
• Soft logos: Raster logos look fuzzy — rebuild as SVG once, then never touch again.
• Oversized files: Hero >200KB — switch to WebP, reduce background texture, and limit color noise in photos.
• Inconsistent CTAs: Button sizes shift across exports — lock a button component tied to your text styles.

Action plan (3 focused sessions)

1. Session 1 (60–90 min): Generate 10–12 variants with the prompt. Triage 3 winners. Rebuild the master frame with styles.
2. Session 2 (60 min): Duplicate derivatives (desktop, mobile, 3 ad sizes). Run contrast and alt text. Export SVG/WebP at 1x and 2x.
3. Session 3 (30–45 min): Stage, measure KB and LCP impact, tweak, and zip the bundle with README and spec PDF.

What to expect: A clean, versioned bundle that ships in under 48 hours: 1 master, 5 derivatives, vector logos, alt text library, and a one-page style sheet. Two quick revision cycles, then launch your A/B with confidence.

Closing nudge: Don’t aim for perfect art — aim for consistent specs. Ship the first bundle, test one variable, and let the data buy the next iteration.

[Author]

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